Dress the Part and they WILL come!

Earlier this week I climbed into the coolest red pants I own--a light, bright red pair of parachute pants, which, alas you can't buy any more. Coming out of the IKEA superstore a man from Idaho and his wife who had played Santa a time or two caught my ear with a friendly HO-Ho-ho!

I had to stop and visit about our mutual passion---with laughter and good memories of those special moments when a true believer showers the man he truly believes is Santa with Love and waves of wonderful belief. Such giving and receiving high points are pay days. They can become addictive.

As we were talking about just that experience--a post toddler/pre-tween named Ryan--at the maximum age of belief --about 6, across the parking aisle began to point with excitement in our direction. Not one but two bearded old fat guys--one in red pants---well the Love began to flow again--and I waddled over to ply "our trade".

Just as Summer had begun, I made a sacred vow to myself to "BECOME" Summer Santa--right down to the red pants and a colorful red and white Hawaiian Aloha shirt.

Yesterday I dug into my SANTA section of a long pole of costumes and came up with a wonderful light solid red polo shirt to go with the light pants--and I was ready for the day. Here's a couple of step by step suggestions about how to handle the true believers and their folks during your day to day shopping.

1. Always be aware and Make Eye Contact with a Wink! Most 6-8 year olds are just like you--tired of following their folks around--and near the end of the day, they are cranky and wanna go HOME! (Trust me, they have a lot in common with YOU) They are looking for diversion--escape, anything that will lift them out of the drugery of going with Mom and doing the dreaded shopping!

2. Your REAL Beard and red clothes will ATTRACT ATTENTION! These little refugees WANT to believe. Many of them are already snuggling in the tired mamma's arms--and they are looking for a way out. Suddenly you show up. It isn't hard for them to make the leap to believe. Like you, they are constantly testing--and they LOVE it when you WINK. The thought in their tired little brains, "This could be the REAL ONE!"

3. Make your outreach Subtle AT FIRST. An off hand comment about how much faster the self service soda machines are at the North Pole etc. etc. will seal the deal. Though you may use many of the techniques of a street mime or birthday party clown....the early going must be slow.

4. Sometimes just going about your business will attract a curious, caring Mother. This is what happened yesterday. Gramma Rosie had overheated and we were sitting at an indoor picnic table at Sam's Club working through polish dogs and sodas, when I looked way up to the beginning of the line. A young mother dressed up casually in a tailored light shirt and trimmed levis was trying not to stare. I don't believe I even acknowledged her---but I sensed she could be as curious as her kids. This is when the "visit" starts; a golden moment--when a mom, with a little imagination see's some FREE entertainment for her little family and tentatively edges over. (I've seen timid kids nudge their Mom with an, "Go ahead, Ask him!" The good Moms create the good Santa experience with their own initiative.

She is careful, as this mother was, but --if everything lines up, she will give you the golden keys to her family. (This is the BEST way to start--very similar to the technique I've polished on the road with the Osmonds at Cesar's Palace in Atlantic City and theaters across the country.) The Dad in these situations is just like you--enduring the Mom with all the Love and self control he can muster. He's playing Prince Phillip to her Queen Elizabeth--but just like the kids, he wants back into control at HOME!!!!

5. Get the Mom to tell you something about her best Believer--out of Earshot! Her true believer was a gap toothed six year old beauty--a sweet blonde named Skylar. That alone was enough. Skylar (great spelling, eh?) couldn't help herself. She and an older Sister named Sage (8) and little brother, Braxton (4) were munching pizza with hopes of Home with their young plumber Dad two tables behind me. The mom started to introduce me to her second child when I blurted out-- "Oh, Skylar----it's been a while, eh?" You know you've made contact when the kid looks confused with that, "He must be real...he KNOWS MY NAME!!!!!! This is the first of what can be those truth reinforcing moments. (On stage I come armed with things like pet's name and favorite teachers--best accomplishments---and sure knowledge of their little pecadillos) These become cues to belief--and can be handled easily enough in engaging conversation.

6. Focus on the True Believer! You've likely heard that wonderful advice from one of Santa's great patron Saints--Mark Twain:, "Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth. That's what this golden moment is--a private audience with the Man Himself. My great friend, James Arrington, the head of the theater and cinematic arts program at Utah Valley University calls me the Mystic Santa for the way I show up quietly at his house...and let his kids "discover me" at their window. The effect is so powerful! James told me once that he believes that Santa is a "bridge character" to a small child---that if God were to appear on earth, for quick acceptance in our culture, he might appear as a jolly man in a white beard. Some responsibility, yes?

Make this a memorable, fun experience that teaches and gives the child something very special as a tangible cue`.